Author's Note: When I originally wrote this (Jan. 10th, 2012), we were neck-deep in the previous administration's tenure. Corruption (both political and societal) were in full swing, and then-President Obama was upholding his campaign promise to fundamentally transform America. Today, we have a new administration working feverishly to undo those wrongs; however, it is still largely one man against the swamp, and against a deep state regime operating just below the surface of our elected government. This article has been updated to reflect our current situation.

It is very easy to be labeled a 'doom and gloomer' these days for simply reporting the facts. "But facts are a stubborn thing", John Adams once said.

Seemingly, simple problems for nations to solve often come with extremely complex strings attached. The United States is addicted to spending money. What does one do if they are neck deep in debt? Well, for starters, you stop spending so much money. The muddy waters part is where to stop spending and which programs you are willing to cut that actually makes a difference.

The United States purse strings are ultimately being pulled in two different directions between the leftist and conservative agendas. Each side has their sacred cows they refuse to touch and will only do so at an excruciatingly high cost to the other. I realize I am staying vague here, but my intent is to show you the forest and the trees, seeing the picture as a whole, rather than just individual issues.

Our system has three legs of power that constitute the operational managers of a complex system of systems. The controlling authority actually being an architectural contract our founding fathers created (the Charters of Freedom) 242 years ago. The basic premise is that man does not guarantee our rights, God does. Therefore, rights are unalienable. The overarching theme is that governments tend to grow into overbearing monstrosities, thus, the checks and balances are largely against itself to prevent that from happening. This is done by dividing the governmental authorities into three branches, which then act as a system of checks and balances against each other, to prevent any one from becoming too powerful.

The Trees

One branch (the Executive) has the responsibility to implement the duties of leadership and enact the laws and powers granted to it by a bi-congressional (two-house) legislative body. However, many past administrations have worked around that legislative body to create an army of un-elected bureaucrats. While every administration adds to this, we have not seen anything like the previous Obama administration, which literally, attempted to create another government under our current one. We have come to know this as both the Deep State, and the Swamp. Them aside, past administrations have flagrantly ignored or bypassed the legislation to initiate warfare, emplace unconstitutional bureaucratic legislation (mandatory healthcare), and often refuse to enforce the laws that were already in place.

The governmental branch entrusted with creating the laws and controlling spending (Legislative), cannot. This because it primarily remains invested only in being re-elected and retaining power, or is in the deep pockets of the various special interest groups. The handful of actual honest and trustworthy legislators have a difficult time getting anything passed either by committee or through house votes due to the divisiveness that the special interests represent there. Both houses recognize the dire dilemma we are in financially speaking, but cannot agree on meaningful steps toward achieving that goal without risking their own political interests (i.e., careers).

The last branch (Judicial) acts as the official authority created to interpret the laws of the land acting as the ultimate last resort for legal interpretation of the Constitution. The problem with this branch is lifetime appointments. Lifetime appointments were initially meant as a safeguard against the shifting political climate of any given decade. However, this also means that they (the judges) end up becoming defenders of their interpretation that we have to live with for most of our lives. Appointments, whether right or left, have long-term ramifications.

And to think we have the best system on earth. The problem with our system is that man is running it, and man is flawed and sinful. Thus by default, mankind would never have a system that actually functions as it should for any longer than a brief period of time.

The Forest

In Samuel Taylor Coleridge's 1798 poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, the titular mariner kills an albatross that has been following his ship, bringing down a curse that leads to the death of all other crewmembers. As a punishment, the crew hang the dead bird from the mariner's neck, and he remains alive to witness the ship's fate unfold. This potent emblem led to the coining of a metaphorical meaning for albatross as something that causes anxiety or guilt or that burdens and encumbers.

Geopolitical strategists often use terms like 'red-line' or 'point of no return' to signal events that once happen, cannot be undone. Like the proverbial bell that cannot be unrung, so too are the redlines that once crossed, forever change the geopolitical and/or economic landscape. We (the U.S.) have crossed that economic redline some time ago. We have put ourselves in such a financially distressing situation, that most politicians and talking heads would rather discuss things abstractly than deal with them honestly. Those who are honest are labeled alarmists. Is it alarmist to yell 'fire' in a theater if it was actually on fire?

We crossed that economic 'red-line' some years ago and have no other recourse than to radically and fundamentally change the way we function as an economy. True, America has a diverse and robust economy. However, it is also true that we have attained such a colossal debt; it threatens the entire world with a tsunami of inflation and/or deflation, when the next major crisis occurs.

In regards to our economic situation, something has to change, because there simply is no other way around the magnitude of unsustainable debt we keep accumulating. There is not enough tax-paying American citizens, nor years left on the planet, to pay off or even down what we owe. We keep borrowing from the next generation, that by the time they come of age, there will not be anything left for them. This means that our current financial conundrum is a bit of a paradox. Either they (government officials, economists, and elected politicians) recognize that we can never pay off or down our debt and have decided to keep operating the way we are anyways, or we are in some form of delusional denial. Even the former Joint Chief of Staff under President Obama (Admiral Mike Mullen) stated that our national debt was the single, greatest threat to our national security.

By the way, we are not alone. Almost every other industrialized nation on the planet is in similar (or worse) situations. Budget cuts and austere measures are about as popular here as they are in places like Greece, London, and Spain. Nobody wants to give up the golden goose. However, the choice will be either we (as a society) agree to reduce the quality of life here in the good old US of A and pay down our debt, or we keep things as they are and go to a new financial system. Mind you, this new system will be something we do not exclusively control anymore. President James Garfield (1881-assassinated) once stated, that he who controls the money supply of a nation, controls the nation.

We are at a loggerheads as a nation in that we have reached a point of both having unsustainable debt and an unwillingness to change our ways. Something will have to give and I am willing to bet that tweaking the Constitution will be offered as the least painful alternative. According to the Constitution (Article 1, Section 8), Congress has the responsibility to control currency and debt. However, this duty was surrendered to the nonfederal and private entity known as the Federal Reserve on December 23rd, 1913 with the now infamous Federal Reserve Act. The Federal Reserve (a form of Central Bank) has never been externally audited (think about that for a moment), and yields enormous power. It has been likened to that of a cartel of bankers, and could be said to control almost all the economies of the world, since the world relies on the stability of the US Dollar for their own fiscal policies and systems.

This is a recipe for global economic disasters of Biblical proportions.

As mentioned before, something will have to give. Likely, the perfect crisis will present the perfect opportunity to introduce some new global standard of commerce. Perhaps some existing or new digital crypto-currency that is either enabled or enforced through Next Generation Identification (NGI) technologies for enhanced biometric security. This system then utilizes a mixture of quantum level computing (for data and information processing), along with an artificial intelligence system (for market analysis), and requires implantable technology that uses the wearer's unique genetic markers as an un-hackable security function. According to Revelation 13:16-18, a system similar to this will be mandated by the world's final governmental system to control ALL buying and selling in the world.

The big picture then is that America is at that point now, where it will soon have to trade autonomy for security because of its financial dilemma. Soon, we will be no different from Greece or Italy in terms of our economic vulnerability. At present, we just happen to have the best military on earth, which is why no one is currently forcing our hand. However, there is coming a day when all of our military-might will not be able to stop the shadowy forces seeking to make us become subservient in our role as the big stick in someone else's hand. The rapid advancement in technology is quickly leveling the playing field. The wealth, power, and might of the US will soon come to naught, and everything people have worked and slaved away for all their lives will seem rather irrelevant in the months and years to come.

The Silver Lining

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

Where is your treasure laid up? Is it in the next Ronald Reagan? Gold and silver? A 401K with stock options? This age is coming rapidly to a close. Our current system is unraveling faster and faster and if you have placed your faith and trust in your own ability to provide a long, comfortable life, you are going to be disappointed.

Satan can see the storm clouds gathering, so he is instituting his plans and schemes with greater swiftness and ferocity. The fact that we are becoming irrelevant is only relevant as it pertains to how close we are to the end of this dispensation. It is becoming more apparent that the US will not have some kind of massive revival and repent as a nation again.

There is a reason why the Bible makes no mention of great nation in the west in the last days. Regardless of how it happens, something does. We are as a nation, buckling under our own weight. At this point, super-committees and last minute budget deals are as meaningful as rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

The silver lining is that salvation is yours for the asking. You need only place your faith in Jesus Christ to change your life and your eternal destiny forever. Oh, and some sound spiritual advice is, you should not wait too long either. Because His return is, a lot sooner than you think.

Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame-who set their mind on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. Philippians 3:17-21

The month of April showered us with prophetic news from its beginning to its end. And the month of May appears to promise more to come. Metaphorically speaking, will those April showerings bring May flowerings?

Let's begin with the events in April, including the feasts of Israel. Those are not scary; rather they are "a shadow of things to come; but the body (the substance) is of Christ" (Colossians 2:17).

April began with the worldly celebration of Easter, or what Christians prefer to call the celebration of Jesus' resurrection day. This year it just so happened to coincide with the first day of the Jewish Passover feast (April 1).

On Passover (Pesach), the Jews celebrate their deliverance from slavery in Egypt by sacrificing an unblemished lamb. The blood of the lamb on that first Passover, which was sprinkled on the doorposts of the faithful Jews in Egypt, spared them from the tenth plague that God sent upon Egypt - the death of every firstborn son.

On Passover, Christians remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world (John 1:29, 36). Those who believe in Him as their Savior (John 3:16) will be spared from the "wrath to come" (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 5:9) and will spend eternity with Him.

April 7th saw the citizens of Douma (a suburb of Damascus in Syria) showered with nerve gas inside of barrel bombs that were dropped from helicopters, according to eyewitnesses. The rebels in Syria do not have air power, lest anyone should think it was them that committed the atrocity.

On April 9, Iran's National Nuclear Technology Day, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that the United States would regret withdrawing from the nuclear deal, and that Iran would respond in "less than a week" if that happened.

That same day, the Israelis conducted a strike on Iranian headquarters inside a Syrian airbase. The Israeli strike was said to be in retaliation for the Iranian drone that managed to invade Israeli territory in February. Tests had recently revealed that the drone was armed with explosives; therefore, obviously on its way to carry out an attack in Israel.

A senior IDF official said, "This is the first time we saw Iran do something against Israel - not by proxy." He added that the strike on the Iranians at T-4 in Syria "was the first time we attacked live Iranian targets - both facilities and people." Several of Iran's Revolutionary Guard died in the attack.

And who could forget the coordinated airstrikes by the US, Britain and France on buildings believed to contain chemical weapons or research regarding chemical weapons in Syria. The strikes occurred on the night of Friday, April 13th in the US (on the 14th in Syria).

On April 18, Iran celebrated its Army Day by unveiling a new missile system. Iran's President Hassan Rohani vowed that Iran would make or buy any weapons it needed.

On April 19, Israel celebrated its Independence Day (which occurred on that day this year according to Israel's 360-day calendar, even though the original date of Israel's rebirth was on May 14, 1948).

While this celebration in Israel was taking place, a 5.5 magnitude earthquake struck near Iran's only operating nuclear power station. This stirred up a massive sandstorm that engulfed the center of Iran. Iranian headlines called it "apocalyptic." Many called it a judgment from God for Iranian threats against Israel.

On April 21st, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif warned that Iran is ready to "vigorously" resume nuclear enrichment if the United States ditches the 2015 nuclear deal, and further "drastic measures" are being considered in response to a US exit.

On April 29, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in a meeting with Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu, expressed US support for Israel in defending itself against the increasing danger from Iran's presence in Syria.

Also on April 29, a satellite image showed recent activity at the Fordo nuclear facility in Iran. Another image showed that a gate leading to "uranium enrichment tunnels" was open. Also noted was the construction of new buildings at the site.

According to an April 30th Haaretz report, "defense and political sources told Russia and the US, following Iran's threats to react against attacks on their assets in Syria overnight, that if Iran attacks Israel from Syria, either itself or through its proxy Hezbollah, Jerusalem will not hold back and will respond forcefully, targeting Iranian soil."

On April 30, the Israeli Knesset gave the prime minister the authority to declare war or order a major military operation by consulting only with the defense minister rather than waiting on a full cabinet vote as the law previously required.

Later that evening, Netanyahu announced to the world the proof that Iran's nuclear weapons program is still ongoing, despite the Iran deal in 2015. He spoke of the intelligence operation where Mossad agents smuggled tens of thousands of documents out of Iran regarding Iran's nuclear program.

Now we come to May. You will never look at Maypole dances in the same way when you research the origins of May Day.

In Germany, Walpurgisnacht takes place from the night of April 30th to May 1st. It takes its name from St. Walburga, a Catholic saint, whose feast day is celebrated on May 1st. She was known as the protector against sorcery and witchcraft. Traditionally, it is the night when witches would gather together on the Brocken, the highest peak of the Harz mountain range in central Germany, and celebrate the triumph of spring over winter. The Brocken is surrounded in mystery due to the mist and clouds that shroud the peak, and according to legend, is the home of witches and the devil. - https://www.thelocal.de/20140430/why-are-germans-celebrating-on-april-30th-walpurgisnacht

The Celtic neopagans and the Wiccans are among those who still celebrate Beltane. Beltane comes from the meaning "fire of Bel," in which Bel is the "bright or shining one." Bel is mentioned in the Bible as the false god of the Babylonians (Isaiah 46:1; Jeremiah 50:2; 51:44). All false religions have their roots in ancient Babylon.

Some neopagans celebrate Beltane by reenacting traditional Celtic practices while others, including Wiccans, celebrate by honoring "the divine feminine" and "the union of the god and goddess."

The May Queen (the personification of the Earth goddess and goddess of fertility) makes her entrance during this festival that begins on the evening before May 1st. A bonfire is lit to welcome the Beltane morning, along with a ritual dance. Half-naked or even fully-naked people participate in the revelry... and what results from it.

In 1955, Pope Pius XII established the Feast of "St. Joseph the Worker" to be celebrated on May 1. This May Day, "International Workers' Day," is believed to reflect Mary's husband Joseph's status as the patron of workers. This feast was originally celebrated by Catholics on March 19 with prayers to St. Joseph "who can help one find work." See this link: http://www.saintjosephtravailleur.net/en/

Friday, May 4th marked the sixth consecutive week of Gaza protestors burning tires, hurling stones, etc., and trying to damage Israel's border fence. According to a report from Arutz Sheva, some 7,000 Arabs rioted throughout the day, flying kites with burning items, intending to ignite fires in Israel. An explosive device was hurled at Israeli troops who responded with riot dispersal means and fire in accordance with the rules of engagement.

On Friday evening, dozens of rioters set fire to the "Palestinian" Arab side of the Kerem Shalom crossing between Israel and Gaza. The IDF said the rioters damaged the gas and fuel pipelines that run from Israel to Gaza. "This is a cynical act which damages the wellbeing of the people of Gaza and the Humanitarian efforts carried out by Israel and other countries," the IDF spokesperson stated.

May 12 is the deadline regarding a decision on the Iranian nuclear deal. President Trump has previously said the deal is dead unless the European signatories can fix it by then. He said, "It should have never, ever been made. We paid $150 billion dollars - we gave $1.8 billion in cash - that's actual cash, barrels of cash. It's insane, it's ridiculous; it should have never been made."

A top adviser to Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned Europe and the U.S. against seeking any changes to the deal.

May 14 is the ceremony to open the US embassy in Jerusalem. President Trump says he may attend. This occurs on the 70th anniversary of Israel's rebirth as a nation.

May 15 is the 70th anniversary of the futile invasion of Israel by five Arab nations. Surely it was the hand of God that saved the new, unprepared little nation of Israel from these invaders. On this May 15th, the Gazans hope to have more protestors than ever on the final day of their so-called "march of return." Come hell or high water, they're determined to destroy and/or break through the Israeli border fence.

Those who defy Israel's warnings and attempt to break through that border fence believe that if they're martyred for the cause of Islam, they'll receive a guarantee of salvation promised by the god they worship (Allah). The Qur'an, hadith and Islamic scholars all mention that virgins will be awarded to Muslim men in Paradise for their pleasure. That wouldn't be the God of the Bible, in case anyone who is reading this has been duped by the father of lies to believe it is.

Pentecost falls on May 20 this year, when Christians celebrate the day the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus' disciples seven weeks after His Ascension. This is considered to be the day when the church began.

Also, the Jewish Feast of Weeks (Shavout) falls on May 20 this year, which is celebrated seven weeks after Passover. Biblically, the Feast of Weeks is "the day of firstfruits" (Numbers 28:26) and the "feast of harvest" (Exodus 23:16) in which the Jews were commanded to "present an offering of new grain to the Lord." The firstfruits of the wheat harvest were made into two loaves of bread with yeast.

"You shall bring from your dwelling places two loaves of bread to be waved, made of two tenths of an ephah. They shall be of fine flour, and they shall be baked with leaven, as firstfruits to the Lord" (Leviticus 23:17).

From GotQuestions.org: "Like other Jewish feasts, the Feast of Weeks is important in that it foreshadows the coming Messiah and His ministry. Each and every one of the seven Jewish Feasts signifies an important aspect of God's plan of redemption through Jesus Christ... Some see the two loaves of leavened bread that were to be a wave offering as foreshadowing the time when the Messiah would make both Jew and Gentile to be one in Him (Ephesians 2:14-15)."

Since the Temple was destroyed in 70 AD, this offering to the Lord cannot be celebrated. The Jews do commemorate this day as the giving of the Law (the Torah; Ten Commandments), considered to be the day on which Judaism was born.

The Unveiling of the "Peace" Plan

The Trump administration is planning to unveil its "peace" plan shortly after the May 14 opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem. US Mideast envoy Jason Greenblatt said, "I ultimately believe there may be a clear path toward peace," adding that it will be "up to the parties themselves" to negotiate and conclude an accord.

Leaders of certain Arab nations told M. Abbas (who says he'll accept no plan coming from the US) that he must accept the peace plan or step down. Israel is being encouraged to accept it as well. A part of the plan has just been leaked. Apparently Israelis will be asked to move out of four Arab neighborhoods in East Jerusalem that would become the "Palestinian" capital.

President Trump doesn't expect Abbas to go along with this, but it appears that many others will. No, I'm not saying this is the Daniel 9:27 confirming of the covenant with many that the Antichrist will put into effect. Rather, I see it as a forerunner to it. Regardless, God is not happy with any nation that works toward dividing His covenanted land with Israel.

Extreme weather events have been known to coincide with attempts by leaders of nations to divide Israel, not to mention what befell Ariel Sharon after the implementation of his Gaza disengagement plan, also known as "Gaza expulsion," which consisted of the withdrawal of the Israeli army from Gaza and the dismantling of all Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip in 2005. Israel is still paying a heavy price for that blunder, proving that giving up "land for peace" does not work.

God tells us in the book of Joel, chapter 3, that in the days when He brings back the captives to Israel, He will judge all the nations for the treatment of His heritage Israel and for dividing His land (Joel 3:1-2). This will be at the Battle of Armageddon.

The captives have returned to their land as prophesied, and it is in this 70 to 80 year generation (Psalm 90:10) that the nation of Israel was reborn.

In all that is happening today, it would seem likely that the fulfillment of Isaiah 17 and Ezekiel 38-39 is near. It surely is an amazing time to be alive, seeing last days Bible prophecy fulfilling before our very eyes. But while we are watching all this go down, we should be looking up. Jesus is coming soon in the air to "catch up" (rapture) his true believers before the wrath to come during the Tribulation, followed by His Second Coming.

Will we just hear threats between nations going back and forth during this month of May that appears to be more scary than merry? Will there be a Mayday call of distress, so to speak?

No matter what happens in the days ahead as we wait on the Lord's timing, we know that He is in control. Many of us are growing wearier every day of this sin-filled world, but let us continue to be watchmen on the wall, sharing the gospel as we warn others of what is coming in the near future. Those of us in Christ need not fear.

"Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32).

Jesus said, "Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled" (Matt. 24:32-34).

Some prophecy teachers call the generation that sees all of the signs being fulfilled "the terminal generation" (the last generation of Christians or the generation of Christians that is alive when the Rapture takes place).

There are different ideas about the length of a generation and when to start counting on the terminal generation (1948, 1967); but some prophecy teachers believe a generation is 70 and perhaps up to 80 years (Psa. 90:1-10), and some start their countdown on May 14, 1948 when Israel (the Fig Tree) became a nation again.

Concerning this, Hal Lindsey recently made an interesting statement, "No matter how you define a "generation" (and there are multiple definitions), 70 years means that the major part of it has passed and there can't be much left."

This is the point: No one knows the day or the hour, but everyone needs to be aware of the possibility that it is very close and the importance of being ready.

First, the destruction of Damascus (War between Israel and Syria; Isa. 17), the destruction of Iran's nuclear reactor (Elam; Jer. 49:34-39), and the Battle of Gog and Magog (Russia, Iran and others attacking Israel; Ezek. 38-39) could be very close. If they are, this would be a clear sign that the latter days and latter years have arrived.

Russia is threatening to deploy some of its latest state of the art missiles (the S-300 system) around Damascus and some of Syria's airports. Israel said if those missiles are used against Israeli jets, Israel will blow them up.

Israel's Ambassador to the UN recently told the UN Security Council that Iran controls 80,000 Shiite militants in Syria that have been trained at a military base slightly more than five miles from Damascus.

On Apr. 26, 2018, U.S. Sec. of Defense James Mattis told a U.S. congressional committee he believes "a military confrontation between Israel and Iran in Syria is becoming increasingly likely."

The next day, it was reported that there are rising concerns at the Pentagon that Iran could strike Israel "in the coming days."

An aircraft carrier, the USS Harry S. Truman, was ordered to stay on alert in the area.

Mr. Pompeo expressed strong U.S. support for Israel's right to defend itself and apparently gave permission for Israel to take on Iran in Syria if Israel needs to.

That night (Apr. 29, 2018), Israel struck several military bases in Syria. It was reported that 26 troops (perhaps 18 Iranians) were killed and about 60 others (Lebanese, Iraqis, Pakistanis and troops from Afghanistan) were wounded.

One explosion was powerful enough to register 2.6 on the Richter scale. The New York Times reported that 200 Iranian missiles exploded.

The next morning (Apr. 30, 2018), Prime Min. Netanyahu placed an unusual call to Pres. Trump. Then, a large number of Israeli weapons were spotted heading north. Then, Mr. Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting of his security cabinet.

That night, Mr. Netanyahu addressed the Israeli people. He revealed that Israeli Mossad agents had gone into Iran and captured thousands of Iranian documents and CD's that prove Iran is lying about its efforts to develop nuclear warheads.

Needless to say, the Ayatollah and some of his Mullahs are very upset.

Several excellent prophecy teachers believe Mr. Netanyahu was giving Pres. Trump and world leaders the information they need to justify their withdrawal from the Iranian nuclear weapons deal and to justify an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities if Iran restarts them.

It is impossible to predict how all of this will play out (a limited skirmish; or the destruction of Damascus; or the destruction of Iran's nuclear reactor; or an incident that leads to the Battle of Gog and Magog, or what); but the situation is boiling, and many prophecy teachers think Hezbollah, Iran or Israel could soon launch a pre-emptive strike. The possibility exists that all of these things will be fulfilled before it ends.

Second, for whatever it is worth, Pres. Trump's deadline for world leaders to fix or nix the Iranian nuclear agreement will be up on May 12, 2018.

Pres. Trump has said that he won't renew the agreement, Iran is threatening war if he doesn't, and France is saying war is a possibility.

The Ayatollah wants to trigger the Tribulation Period and help his Mahdi win the Mother of all Battles (Battle of Armageddon).

Third, concerning a peace treaty, in Dec. 2017 it was reported that some Arab nations were telling PA Pres. Mahmoud Abbas and the PA leadership to stop criticizing Pres. Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to get on board with his proposed Middle East Peace Plan.

Some reports said Mr. Abbas and the PA leadership were told that if they didn't cooperate, they could be replaced with people who would cooperate.

Mr. Abbas and his team of leaders aren't cooperating - and they are citizens of Jordan, not Israel.

No reason was given, but on Apr. 25, 2018, it was reported that King Abdullah II of Jordan has notified Mr. Abbas and his team that they will soon be stripped of their Jordanian citizenship.

It is unclear how this will impact Pres. Trump's peace proposal, but Mr. Abbas and his leaders will soon be visitors in Jordan, not citizens of Jordan, and the Temple Mount is currently under the control of King Abdullah of Jordan.

On Apr. 30, 2018, it was reported that Pres. Trump will probably release an outline of his peace plan shortly after the U.S. embassy is moved to Jerusalem on May 14, 2018.

The word "shortly" is vague, but it indicates that a peace proposal that at least some Arabs seem willing to accept could be on the table soon. The response of Israel, Iran and others remains to be seen.

Fourth, the fact that Israel could hack into thousands of Iranian documents is evidence that world leaders will soon have the ability to track buying and selling.

Fifth, on Apr. 25, 2018, it was reported that the U.S. will place a Mezuzah (a small case or tube with a very tiny parchment scroll inside) on the doorpost at the entrance to America's new embassy in Jerusalem.

The words of God found in Deut. 6:4-9 and 11:13-21 will be written on the scroll, and one of the names of God (Shaddai) will be visible through a small opening in the case or tube.

The meaning of Shaddai is vague, but some think it means "God is the Guardian of the Gates of Israel."

Mezuzahs are used to remind those that enter and leave a building that the Jews have a covenant with God and the occupants of the building observe a special set of God-given rules, rituals and beliefs.

Posting a Mezuzah on the doorpost of the U.S. embassy won't enhance America's relationship with God, but it is good to have a government that understands what a Mezuzah is and that it is willing to place God's name and portions of Holy Scripture on the doorpost.

No one knows, but I believe the terminal generation has arrived, and God will bless those that bless Israel. It is possible that God has placed many conservative Christians in the current administration for such a time as this, and it is good for America to be on Israel's side.

There are many things in life that people are willing to make sacrifices to achieve. Getting ahead in careers, getting good grades, or excelling in sports all take dedication and discipline. Olympic competitors begin at a young age to learn proper eating habits, exercising to strengthen muscles, developing the skills of their sport, and so on. Professional baseball, football, or soccer players learn the rules of the game and train constantly to be better players. Prizes are won for being the best at what you do. A gold medal or a trophy are honors given by men to acknowledge skill. If these goals are your desires in life you'll find that the honors are temporary and will soon be forgotten. Who won the 1970 Super Bowl? Who was the most valuable player in the 1959 World Series? Prizes given by humans are passing glory, but crowns given by Jesus are eternal. Every Christian should put their efforts to a higher purpose and desire to win incorruptible crowns. "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible." 1 Corinthians 9:24-25. The Christian race isn't a competition against other Christians. You won't lose the prize if someone comes in ahead of you, but you will lose if you don't train to win. You're in competition with yourself and the prize you win only depends upon your own works.

Being human means that we have a sin nature. Most of us know the Ten Commandments so we have a basic idea of what God views as sin. Most people don't murder, but it's a little harder not to covet. The Ten Commandments are just a start to obedience to God. The whole letter of the Law is a schoolmaster to teach us God's ways. "We aren't under the Law", you proclaim. "I have freedom in Christ". That's true, but that isn't a license to sin. "What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" Romans 6:15-16. We have two choices... obey Satan or obey God. When you choose to follow Jesus you begin your training to overcome sin, and become eligible for a crown of victory. God doesn't leave us the dark to guess what is and isn't sin. The New Testament contains many lists of behavior that shouldn't be part of a Christian's lifestyle. "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God." 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. Prior to accepting Christ you may not have been aware that things you found acceptable were sin. Activities that the world accepts as normal probably aren't acceptable by God. When a person accepts Christ for salvation change in moral thought should begin. "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." 1 Corinthians 6:11. After accepting Christ for salvation your goal needs to be gaining victory over sin. Study Scripture and recognize the sin in your life. Then with God's help eliminate it. Do you gossip with co-workers? Look at your own life to see if what you find unacceptable in others is manifest in your own life. Do you live with your girlfriend or boyfriend? A Christian needs to put that sin away and strive for the crown of victory.

We all struggle with sin, but as Christians we need to overcome the sin that grips us. "And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway."1 Corinthians 9:25-27. When people look at you do they see that you're winning the race for a crown of victory, or do they see a defeated person who has given up? If you fail in your race repent and start earning that crown of victory again. You won't lose your salvation if you stumble, but you will lose joy in this life and in the life to come. There's no joy in sin and when you come to the end of your life and stand before Jesus watching others receiving crowns you'll want one. You'll be happy to be in the presence of our Lord, but your joy will be multiplied when He gives you a crown as a reward for gaining victory over sin. That crown will be given back to Him because you'll realize that you could never have gained any victory without Jesus. He alone deserves all glory for all things.

Victory in a Christian's life means putting the flesh to death...rid yourself of selfish desires, bad habits, bad attitudes, and any lust of the flesh that would bring shame to Jesus. "That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." Ephesians 4:22-24. The word "conversation" is the King James way of saying "the way you live". Here's another list of things we need to strive to gain victory over. "Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath. Neither give place to the devil." Ephesians 4:25-27. Lies and anger need to be overcome. You choose whether to follow Christ or Satan, so choose victory in Jesus. "Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." Ephesians 4:28-30. When you gain mastery over your sinful nature you'll find that other things fall into place. Working and earning an honest living is a Christian attitude. Then we can help fellow Christians in need. If you accept help your need must be honest and then you need to help fellow Christians in need. This is victory over selfishness. When you speak, speak truth and use words that are kind and reflect God's love. Remove foul language from your lips because those words do nothing to honor Christ. "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Ephesians 4:31-32. Care for your brothers and sisters in Christ. Be kind and forgiving of the brethren. Christ died for you and has forgiven your sin, now you need to strive to show that kindness to others. Overcome the ways of the flesh and win the crown of victory.

Crowns are won by doing works in the name of Jesus with no thought of what's in it for you. Take victory over anger because you know it honors Christ. Be kind to others because you know that Jesus loves them as much as He loves you. If you win a crown you'll be rewarded at the judgment seat of Christ. "Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward." 1 Corinthians 3:12-14. When you stand before Jesus the fire of judgment will reveal if you did works to make yourself look good or to glorify Him. The works done for Jesus will give you a crown. In this life it may not be easy to bring your flesh under submission, but on that day of judgment you'll rejoice that you won the prize. "If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire." 1 Corinthians 3:15. If you don't win any crowns, you won't lose your salvation; you're saved by grace through faith, not by your works. You'll want a crown on that day so don't neglect your training to be victorious over sin.

The first step in winning any competition is to qualify. How does a person qualify to win an everlasting, incorruptible crown from Jesus? Accept Him as your Saviour. "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6. There's no way to gain eternal life except through Jesus Christ. Admit that you're a sinner and that the blood that Jesus shed on the cross is the only perfect sacrifice to take your sin away. At that point your sins are forgiven and you're a new creation in Christ. Then you need to learn the rules of running the race. Nothing you do will make you more saved than you are the moment you truly believe, but studying Scripture will tell you how to conduct your life. Applying it to your life will help you gain mastery over sin. "And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. " 2 Timothy 2:5. You can't cheat and get a crown. God set the rules and He never changes. It's a sad truth in this life, that if a person abstains from certain things because they're in training for an athletic event it's acceptable. We might ask a friend to go to a movie but he refuses because he's in training for football and needs to get to bed early. He isn't mocked or laughed at, but is admired. On the other hand if a Christian refuses to go to a movie for moral reasons or won't go to a beer bash because it goes against his convictions, he gets ridiculed. Don't let attitudes from people hamper your race. Put the lusts of the flesh to death and win the crown of victory. Please God, not man.

You may have failures along the way, but don't give up. A crown of victory awaits everyone who overcomes sin in the name of Jesus.

Remember when we were younger, we would play doctor, or cowboy or house or some such thing. In this time frame, much of the "Church" is playing church. It's all about the numbers, paying the pastor, increasing the worship team, the new building fund, whatever. This keeps everybody thinking they are busy and doing something for the Lord. And they are, it's just not necessarily the Lord's best plan for them. Many have been asking me how to witness; are the "little people" able to do this, or do they have to have a big time ministry. We talk about this very subject quite a bit among our small church group. I encourage everyone to minister where they are. We are all called and empowered by the Holy Spirit to do our part.

Too many people are just playing church. They are going to services; worship like everyone else beside them; often get encouraged (with probably scripture twisted into making the preacher's point, translated: bad doctrine or eisegesis) and they come home and return to their lives. During the week, they might go to their Wednesday service, a prayer meeting or some group they belong to. It's inside the walls of the church back to inside the walls of their homes, and not much mixing with the real world. Like a good marriage, you can't just play house, you have to work at it. Same principles apply. First, be an example. Second, communicate, not in a preachy way, but in a common sense, biblical-based way. Make sense.

Creating disciples is not always knocking on doors and handling out tracts (I'm guilty-have done that a lot), but rather it's relationship building and relationship management. To me, it's heart to heart-treating others as you would like to be treated, and in doing so, making the case for Christ with words, actions, and by example. In our church, we have a man who because he was in academia, has a lot of liberal, unbelieving friends. His ministry is very difficult because he gets put down, ridiculed and ostracized. But he keeps trying-some sow, some water, some harvest. Another lady in our church works in a very diverse dental office. She gets to witness, in her way, to Jews, Muslims, and, yes, Christians. Another ministers through her contacts in the horse industry as well as to members of her family.

Yet another does hair. The people who sit in her chair get to talk about things that lead to Christ and his ways-either subtly or more direct. One man in our church witnesses quietly in his place of work. He is widely respected and asked to say the prayer now at workplace gatherings. All these outreaches count. They change peoples' lives. You can do it, too. We have to remember that God's word does not return void and that each of us is a joint that supplies according to our measure to make increase in the body. Every journey starts with the first step. We can take a step of faith, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in pursuing God's plan for us. If you want to witness, seek the Lord and have Him show you the way that we join together in what James 1:22 says to "be doers of the word and not hearers only."

While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, "Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher." But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well." -Luke 8:49-50

Have you ever experienced a time when everything was going well, and suddenly the bottom dropped out? Maybe it was a tragedy, such as the death of a loved one, the loss of your career, or bad news from your doctor.

If so, then you will find yourself in the touching story of how Jesus dealt with a man named Jairus. Everything was going wonderfully in his life-until his beloved twelve-year-old daughter grew very ill. No doubt he had called in the finest physicians, but she grew more and more ill. There was nothing he could do.

We don't know whether Jairus was a believer in Jesus. The Bible doesn't say. Being the head of the synagogue, he would have been a man of faith, a religious man. He had probably heard about Jesus and believed that he could save his daughter's life. So he found the Lord and begged Him to go and lay hands on her. He had faith in Jesus and placed his complete trust upon Him.

Jairus's faith was dramatic, especially when the story shifts, and it is revealed that his daughter had died. Still, Jairus believed the Lord could intervene. At this particular time in the ministry of the Lord, He had not raised anyone from the dead. He had healed people, but there had not been any resurrections. I love what Jesus said to Jairus at this point: "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well" (Luke 8:50 NKJV).

Jairus reached out to Christ and found what he needed from Him. His little girl was raised from the dead. It is a glorious story, and it serves as a simple reminder that everyone needs the Lord. Some people don't think they do. But in reality, everyone desperately needs Him.

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"Folks, it's all beginning to unravel. America is in more danger of falling than at any time in its history. But I believe Bible prophecy predicts this very decline. From this point on, we believers have to get serious. We are going to face discouragement, disillusionment and, most certainly, persecution in the time between now and the Rapture. But don't be discouraged or disillusioned. The coming turmoil will provide us unrivaled opportunities to share the good news of the Gospel. So be ready to share your faith and your hope with those who need Christ. We still have time to reap a great harvest of souls for God's kingdom!" - Hal Lindsey

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